TITLE:
Modeling Multiple Quantum Well and Superlattice Solar Cells
AUTHORS:
Carlos I. Cabrera, Julio C. Rimada, Maykel Courel, Luis Hernandez, James P. Connolly, Agustín Enciso, David A. Contreras-Solorio
KEYWORDS:
Quantum Well; Strain in Solids; Solar Cell; Conversion Efficiency; Modeling
JOURNAL NAME:
Natural Resources,
Vol.4 No.3,
June
25,
2013
ABSTRACT:
The inability of a single-gap solar cell to absorb energies less than the band-gap energy is one of the intrinsic loss mechanisms which limit the conversion efficiency in photovoltaic devices. New approaches to “ultra-high” efficiency solar cells include devices such as multiple quantum wells (QW) and superlattices (SL) systems in the intrinsic region of a p-i-n cell of wider band-gap energy (barrier or host) semiconductor. These configurations are intended to extend the absorption band beyond the single gap host cell semiconductor. A theoretical model has been developed to study the performance of the strain-balanced GaAsP/InGaAs/GaAs MQWSC, and GaAs/GaInNAs MQWSC or SLSC. Our results show that conversion efficiencies can be reached which have never been obtained before for a single-junction solar cell.